Like the event’s name, the entertainment lineup pays homage to the musical legacy of the Big Easy, with jazzy performances by Pamela Jones, Empire Strikes Brass, Bronze + Ebony Dance Company and the Business.

What does a drought in California have to do with Western North Carolina? Local experts say that the situation holds lessons for food systems throughout the country, including how to become more resilient in the face of climate change.

Do you know a young person who works hard doing good for not much money? That deserving person may be eligible for Asheville’s first Julian Award, a $1,000 cash prize that will be given this fall at the kickoff of Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local campaign for local nonprofits.

Local farm-to-door produce delivery service Mother Earth Produce won big last night in the the Miller Lite Tap The Future small-business competition semifinals in Atlanta, taking first place among a pool of 30 contestants and bringing home a $20,000 award.

Oskar Blues Brewery hosted its 2015 Burning Can ExtravaCANza Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, at its REEB Ranch just outside of Hendersonville. Despite some complications with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Department, a few thunderstorms and a blistering-hot afternoon sun, brewers, performers and attendees stuck it out and had a ball.

The event, now in its fourth year, will take place on Saturday, July 18, and is organized by Velo Girl Rides in partnership with Ingles Markets and Black Mountain Parks and Greenways. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will support the creation of more greenways.

Not only did Dissen amass tales of glacier hikes, bear sightings and filleting salmon minutes after the catch, but the chef also returned to the Market Place with a renewed dedication to inspire his team on the subject of product sourcing.

Days ago, the chef arrived in Bristol Bay, Alaska and agreed to take Xpress’ entire readership along for a sockeye salmon sourcing adventure by sharing updates and photographs of his trip. Here is his final check-in.

The Market Place chef William Dissen is traveling to Bristol Bay, Alaska, and he’s agreed to take Xpress’ entire readership along for the ride by sharing updates and photographs of “one of the most sustainable fisheries on the planet.”

North Carolina’s alcohol laws are slowly changing to allow greater freedom for the state’s growing number of brewers, distillers and bar owners. However, despite the progress, local industry advocates say many key concerns remain untouched by recent reforms.

Surrounded by Leicester’s stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shady Place’s cattle drink water from pure mountain springs and eat grass, hay, and corn produced on-site. The animals are raised by hand and treated like pets by the entire family, including the Morgans’ sons Nathanael and Eli.

This week, chef Dissen is traveling to Bristol Bay, Alaska, and he’s agreed to take Xpress’ entire readership along for the ride by sharing updates and photographs of “one of the most sustainable fisheries on the planet.”

Western North Carolina is now home to a growing number of craft distillers making legal moonshine. Blending traditional recipes with new technology and methods, these pioneers are bringing Appalachia’s most fabled and misunderstood product into the 21st century, changing cultural perceptions even as they adapt to shifting economic realities.

Reminiscent of an Prohibition-era speakeasy with its cream and burgundy walls, vinyl club chairs, old church pews and dark brown circular tables, the bar and event center pays homage to the history of the building and its surrounding neighbors. “This is an event concept bar,” says owner Cam MacQueen. “This bar is about telling the story of this space, of this block, of bringing people together.”

This Sunday, May 31, local artists and farmers will come together at Articulture’s first annual Art & Farm Tour. Art will be displayed in all different types of outdoor settings to give attendees a completely different experience than that of the normal “white wall gallery.”